Genesis 27: Lessons About Spiritual Blindness from Isaac’s Family’s Deceit

Introduction: Genesis 27 tells the sad story of when every member of Isaac’s family tried to deceive each other over God’s blessings. In the prior chapters, God repeatedly intervened and spoke words of encouragement and affirmation of His promises. In contrast, He is silent here and removed from their evil scheming. This chapter is one of many to confirm the statements in the Bible that all have fallen short and are in need of what Jesus offers. “Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who continually does good and who never sins.” (Ecc. 7:20; Ps. 14:3; Job 4:17, 25:4; Ro. 3:10, 23). Like every other person, it is only by God’s mercy and grace that the patriarchs were not disqualified from their privileged positions: “And do not enter into judgment with Your servant, for in Your sight no man living is righteous.” (Ps. 143:2). “The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness.” (Ps. 103:8). Here, God reveals seven warnings about spiritual blindness from Isaac’s family’s deceit.

First, Isaac became blinded to the evil in his son Esau. Despite knowing of God’s prophecy that Esau would serve Jacob and that Esau had sold his birthright to Jacob, Isaac secretly schemed in his near blind condition to bestow his blessing upon Esau. His external blindness reflected what had happened inside of him. From this, God reveals that spiritual blindness comes from ignoring the evil in and around you. Second, Rebekah learned of Isaac and Esau’s secret scheme and then formed her own evil scheme to protect God’s prophecy. Because she did not trust God to fulfill His promises, she took matters into her own hands. From this, God reveals that spiritual blindness can cause you to doubt God and act on your own. Third, Jacob had tricked Esau into selling his birthright. Here, Jacob’s scheme included three lies to Isaac, including blasphemy by falsely invoking God’s name. From this, God reveals that spiritual blindness causes you to mislead through lies and deception. Fourth, upon learning of Jacob’s deceit, Esau became indignant. His own scheme to win back a birthright that he had sold had failed. From Esau’s hypocrisy, God reveals that spiritual blindness can lead to false piety and a lack of repentance. Fifth, Esau demanded that his father speak a word of blessing. Instead, Isaac placed a curse upon Esau’s descendants. From this, God reveals that spiritual blindness can bring a curse upon your descendants. Sixth, Esau then became filled with anger and planned to kill Jacob. From this, God reveals that spiritual blindness caused by deceit and lies can grow into far worse sins if it is not addressed. Seventh, upon learning of Esau’s plan, Rebekah told Jacob to leave the Promised Land, something he was also not supposed to do. This would result in Jacob being placed under more than 20 years of deceit from Laban, his future father-in-law. Rebekah would never see her son again. Jacob’s children would also deceive each other and him just as he did to his father. From this, God reveals that spiritual blindness and deceit will only result in pain and suffering.

1. Spiritual Blindness Comes From Ignoring the Evil in and Around You. Gen. 27:1-4.

Bertram of Minden 1340 – 1414/15 (Isaac asks Esau to hunt for venison)

2. Spiritual Blindness Can Cause You to Doubt God and Act on Your Own. Gen. 27:5-17.

3. Spiritual Blindness Causes You to Mislead Through Lies and Deception. Gen. 27:18-29.

Govert Flinck 1615 – 1660 (Isaac Blesses Jacob (Amsterdam))1

4. Spiritual Blindness Leads to False Piety and a Lack of Repentance. Gen. 27:30-37(a).

5. Spiritual Blindness Can Bring a Curse Upon Your Descendants. Gen. 27:37(b)-40.

6. Spiritual Blindness Can Lead to Others Sins, like Anger and Murder. Gen. 27:41.

7. Spiritual Blindness Leads to Pain and Sorrow in Your Life. Gen. 27:42-46.